In addition, Scouts can also earn prizes. Some councils allow units to take about a 5% higher profit if they do not take the prize program. Prize programs often work best with younger Scouts. Some councils also offer $50, $75, or $100 gift cards for every $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 you sell.

Many councils give their Scouts a variety of ways to earn money with popcorn:

"Take Orders" - orders taken for later delivery.

"Show and Sell" - sales are often made in front of large grocery or other stores for immediate delivery.

"Show and Deliver" - like Take Orders except the Scout takes popcorn with him for immediate delivery.

"Selling Online" - Scouts to email a link to family and friends. Orders go directly from the company to anywhere in the US!

"Support the Troops" program where popcorn can be sent directly to our troops around the world!

Popcorn can bring more than fun and adventure. Scouts learn that with hard work they can save enough in their Individual Accounts to reach their goals. Scouts learn personal management. Self-reliance is learned from real life not a lecture.

Contents

How it works

Packs and Troops often set their annual dues between $70 and $120 to cover registration, Boy's Life subscription, books, advancements, recharter, and basic needs. In one day, a Scout can sell enough popcorn to cover all of this and more!

A Scout who knows the Basic Sales Tips below can average $75 to $150 in sales per hour in Take Order sales, depending upon area. At a 33% profit, that is $25 to $50 an hour. Many jobs don't pay that well!

How much do they need for the next year for: Dues? Camp? Trips? Activities?

Determine additional amount Webelos need to take with them when they bridge.

Establish Scout Accounts to help each Scout and his family with his Scouting expenses.

Have a short informational session at a unit meeting to tell the Scouts and parents about the popcorn sale.

Have a "Sales Blitz Day" or "Fill a Card" day or other kickoff day with special prizes.

Sell popcorn by various methods such as TAKE ORDER, SHOW AND SELL, SHOW AND DELIVER, and SELLING AT WORK.

Scouts should continue until their goal was met (usually 3 or 4 afternoons or weekend days).

Recognize top sellers and hold a victory party at sale’s end.

Pack Popcorn Plan

Your Pack Popcorn Plan begins with your Pack Calendar. Your pack calendar is so busy for the next twelve months with trips, camps, museums, picnics, hikes, ball games, and so much more. The Scouts will want to do it all!

The first step is for each family to complete their Personal Popcorn Plan. It starts with the basic costs of registration, Boy's Life, books, and then lets you pick your activities to show you how many sales you will need. It even helps you find your best 50 prospects!

Just cut and paste the sentence below and email it to everyone in your pack:

That's your first 40 sales! At an average of $20 each, that is your first $800 in less than a week.

___ Hair salon, insurance office, bank, etc. You give them your business. 3-10 sales?
___ Friends at your religious institution: 3 - 5 Sales?
___ Everyone you have sold anything to in the past. Did you keep their names and numbers? 1 - 50 Sales or more.
___ The next 25 neighbors in each direction. (60% should buy!)

That's 40 to 100+ easy sales! At $20 each, that's $800 to $2,000 in sales! You can make $260 to $660 to pay unit dues with the rest going into your Individual Account.

Show and Sell

Show and Sell opportunities are everywhere! Walmart is just one of a list of departments stores and grocery stores that often allow Scout units to sell in front of their stores for immediate delivery. In one Saturday, you might sell $1,500 in popcorn at a single store!

When you plan your Show and Sells, consider these opportunities:

Do you have a Walmart or other major retailers in your area?

Could you have a stand at festivals, car shows, and other events in your area?